Blowoff for steam and water separators



Jan. 28, 1941.

R. M. OSTERMANN 68 BLOWOFF FOR STEAM AND WATER SEPARATQRS I Filed July 8, 1959 Patented Jan. 28, 1941 UNiTED STATES BLOWOFF FOR S TEAM AND WATER SEPARATORS Rudolf M. Ostermann,

Kenilworth, 111., assignor I to The Superheater Company, New York,

Application July 8, 1939, Serial No. 283,436

2 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in steam and water separators and particularly to means for insuring the efiicient discharge therefrom of water that is separated from the steam.

One type of steam and water separator is that which is sometimes known as a tangential dryer. This apparatus is commonly employed in connection with locomotive boilers for separating water from the steam before it passes through the dry pipe to the superheater and engines of a locomotive. The tangential dryer is mounted upon the upturned end of the dry pipe in the steam dome and consists of a casing open at its top to provide a steam inlet and containing a series of vanes which give the steam and water mixture a whirling motion within the casing causing the water to be thrown oii' against the walls of the casing while the steam passes through the dry pipe to the superheater. The water runs down into a chamber in the lower part of the dryer from which it is discharged through a series of outlet nozzles back into the steam and water space of the boiler. However, when, as sometimes happens with water heavily treated with chemicals, foam and excess quantities of water enter the dryer, its efficiency may be curtailed because of the fact that the amounts of water entering the dryer together with foam may exceed the capacity of the outlet nozzles to discharge the water.

In accordance with the presentinvention, a

dryer of this type is provided with a supplementary discharge outlet so that when unusual quantities of foam or water enter the drier the usual outlet nozzles and the supplementary outlet act together to prevent an accumulation of water in the drier in such amount that some of it might enter the dry pipe.

The single figure of the drawing is a diagrammatic view, with some parts broken away, of a portion of a locomotive boiler equipped with a steam and water separator embodying the present invention.

The locomotive boiler is provided with the usual steam dome ID from which the dry pipe I I extends forwardly to the superheater and throttle and thence to the engines. The dry pipe I I has an upturned end portion on which is mounted a steam and water separator l2 of the type which is known, because of its action, as a tangential dryer. In the operation of the boiler the steam and water mixture enters the dryer through an inlet l3 at its top and a whirling motion is imparted thereto by the vanes I4.

Centrifugal action causes the water to be thrown oii tangentially against the wall l5 of the dryer casing so that it runs down and accumulates in a chamber l6 having several outlets provided with nozzles I1 for discharging the water back into the steam space of a boiler.

In accordance with the present invention the dryer is also provided with a supplementary outlet comprising a pipe 20 communicating with the chamber I6 and extending to a point outside the boiler where its outer end may discharge against atmospheric rather than boiler pressure. Located in the pipe 20 is a valve designated as a whole by the numeral 2| and provided with electrically actuated operating means 22 of any suitable type. Extending through the wall of the steam dome I0 and wall 15 of the separator I2 into the chamber [6 of the latter is an electrode 23 insulated by a sleeve 24 and having its inner end so located that when a predetermined amount of water accumulates in chamber IS the electrode is contacted thereby to complete an electrical circuit and cause energization of the valve operating means 22 to open the valve l8. As illustrated herein the coil of electrical valve operator 22 is connected by wires 24 and 25 to a suitable source of electrical energy 26. The circuit for the coil of actuator 22 is normally broken at the contacts 21, 28, one of these being movable and carried by a lever 30 associated with a relay coil -3l. One terminal of the relay coil 3! is connected by a wire 32 to the energy source 26 and its other end is suitably connected to the casing of the separator l2, as by grounding both this terminal of the relay coil and the casing of the separator. Electrode 23 is also connected to the energy source 26 by a wire 33.

When the boiler is operating under normal conditions the amount of water separated from the steam is such that the outlet nozzle or nozzles H are capable of discharging it back into the steam space of the boiler and the water level in chamber i6 does not rise sufficiently to immerse the electrode 23. When foaming occurs or other conditions cause unusual amounts of water to enter the drier, the quantity of water entering the dryer may be beyond the capacity of the outlet nozzles I! to discharge back into the boiler promptly. Under these conditions the water level in chamber l6 rises and upon its reaching the electrode 23, the electrical circuit for the relay coil 3| is completed. This results in engagement of the contacts 21 and 28 and energization of the electrically actuated operator 22 for the valve l8. Consequently, the valve 2| opens and boiler pressure acting on the body of water in the chamber is promptly expels it through the piping 20. By locating the outer end of the pipe 20 so that it is subject to atmospheric pressure, it will be seen that the considerably higher boiler pressure will eifect a substantially immediate evacuation of Water from the chamber N5 of the dryer. Upon de-energization of the coils relay 3| and the operator 22, valve 2| is closed automatically, as by a spring. If desired, the closing action may be delayed by providing a dash pot 35 so that valve 2| remains open long enough for evacuation of chamber l6 under all conditions.

Although one form of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail herein, there are many changes and variations that may be made without departing from the invention. Accordingly it is desired and intended to include all such changes and variations within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a boiler equipped with a steam and water separator connected to the inlet of the dry pipe and having a chamber for receiving water separated from the steam and one or more outlets capable of discharging therefrom all the Water separated during the normal operation of the boiler so that water may not accumulate in said chamber in sufiicie'nt amount to enter said dry pipe; another outlet from said chamber piping connecting said other chamber outlet to a point outside the steam and water space of the boiler;

azzaees a normally closed valve in said piping; electrically actuated means for opening said valve; a normally incomplete electrical circuit including said valve opening means and an electrode extending into said chamber and so positioned as to be contacted by Water upon accumulation of a predetermined amount thereof in said chamher for causing completion of said circuit and energization of said'opening means to effect opening of said valve.

2. In a boiler equipped with a steam and Water separator connected to the inlet of the dry pipe and having a chamber for receiving Water separated from the steam and one or more outlets capable of discharging therefrom all the water separated during the normal operation of the boiler so that Water may not accumulate in said chamber in suilicient amount to enter said dry pipe; another outlet from said chamber; piping connecting said other chamber outlet to a point outside the steam and water space of the boiler; a normally closed valve in said piping; electrically actuated means for opening said valve; a normally incomplete electrical circuit including said valve opening means and an electrode so positioned as to be contacted by Water upon accumulation of a predetermined amount thereof in said chamber for causing completion of said circuit and energization of said opening means to effect opening of said valve.

RUDOLF M. OSTERMANN. 

